For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD — Marshfield Mayor Chris Meyer has proclaimed October as Walk and Bicycle to School Month and Wednesday, Oct. 5, as International Walk to School Day in the city of Marshfield.

The city of Marshfield, Marshfield Clinic, Healthy Lifestyles-Marshfield Area Coalition, Marshfield Noon Rotary Club, and eight area elementary schools will celebrate International Walk to School Day. Students in grades kindergarten through six will walk to school from home or drop-off points or walk with their schoolmates during the school day to emphasize the importance of being physically active and having safe routes to walk and ride to school.

The city of Marshfield, as part of the Safe Routes to School program, will hold the Walk/Bike to School Challenge during the month of October. Students are encouraged to track the number of days they walk or bicycle to school. Bussed students or those unable to walk or ride a bicycle to school can participate in alternative physical activities as determined by their parents, teachers, or schools. Participating students will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of several prizes, including a bicycle.

The mayoral proclamation recognized that creating a safe environment for children to walk or bicycle to school and teaching pedestrian safety provides an opportunity for physical activity and reduces traffic congestion and air pollution. The mayor further urged all students, parents, teachers, administrators, and schools within the Marshfield School District to participate in these events and to consider the safety and health of children this month and every month.

Sponsors for the challenge are: Marshfield Clinic, Nasonville Dairy, Draxler Transport, V&H Heavy Truck, Laura Schmitt Photography, CAVU Landscaping, and the Sports Den.

Parents of elementary school students can contact their child’s school for more details about Walk to School events or the Marshfield Clinic Center for Community Outreach at 715-221-8400 or healthy.lifestyles@marshfieldclinic.org. For more information about the Walk/Bike to School Challenge, contact Josh Miller at 715-486-2075 or josh.miller@ci.marshfield.wi.us.